BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2132

By: Harris, Caroline

Higher Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Texas State Technical College (TSTC) opened East Williamson County Higher Education Center (EWCHEC) in Hutto, Texas, in partnership with Temple College in 2013. Designated as a multi-institution teaching center, TSTC, Temple College, and Texas A&M University Central Texas (TAMUCT) all offer classes at the EWCHEC facility. TSTC alone offers six programs at EWCHEC in precision machining technology, welding technology, HVAC technology, industrial systems, culinary arts, and cybersecurity. TSTC holds title to the EWCHEC facility and Temple College and TAMUCT lease space in the EWCHEC facility from TSTC. Currently, TSTC is preparing to construct a second facility at the EWCHEC site. Furthermore, since EWCHEC opened, Samsung has announced the construction of a major microchip manufacturing facility in nearby Taylor, Texas. TSTC anticipates that additional sites may be necessary to meet the expected workforce training demand resulting from the project. However, TSTC currently has no statutory authority to operate additional sites in eastern Williamson County. H.B. 2132 seeks to meet the growing workforce training needs of this region and establish TSTC's location in eastern Williamson County as a permanent, independent campus by expanding the composition of TSTC to include multiple campuses in Williamson County east of State Highway 130 and Interstate Highway 35.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2132 amends the Education Code to expand the composition of the Texas State Technical College System to include a campus that operates as a collective unit of one or more locations in Williamson County east of State Highway 130 and Interstate Highway 35.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2023.